Red Pouch Apricot

Red Pouch Apricot

　　　Originally from the mountainous areas of Licheng County, Shandong Province, it was selected from wild apricots in 1985 and subsequently widely promoted. This variety ripens in mid to late May in the Licheng region. The average fruit weighs 50 grams, with the largest reaching up to 70 grams. It is juicy, has fine-textured flesh, and boasts a sweet and fragrant taste. Both the skin and flesh are orange-yellow, and the pit separates easily from the flesh, making it a high-quality fruit. It is relatively resistant to storage and transportation. In recent years, it has been sold to Beijing, Shenyang, and Shenzhen, where it has been favored by all sectors and has become a much sought-after fruit in the market. Licheng Red Pouch Apricot originates from Dajianxi Village in Licheng County. Locally known as “Hongkebo,” during the 1980 fruit tree resource survey, it was temporarily renamed “Red Pouch Apricot” (chosen for its auspicious, precious, and attractive appearance) due to its value and distinctive traits. It was officially designated as “Licheng Red Pouch Apricot” upon evaluation in 1985.

　　　　Investigations have shown that the Red Pouch Apricot originated from a single seedling variation. It has a history of nearly two hundred years from its emergence to the present. After the initial plant was discovered, it was strictly controlled. It was not until several decades later that it spread to the Zhang family’s Xiquanziyu Orchard in the village. Later, the Liu family in the village collected scions from Xiquanziyu to establish a 4.8-acre orchard. Huangjiayu in Changqing County also propagated and planted trees using scions from this location, and large trees from that time still exist today. Since then, it has seen some development. Before liberation, the annual yield in Dajianxi Village reached around 25 tons. Since 1980, Licheng Red Pouch Apricot has experienced rapid development. Over the years, more than 160,000 new trees have been planted, covering an area of over 3,000 acres across the county, with a total production of 50 tons. Establishing a commercial production base for Red Pouch Apricots has been included in the “Eighth Five-Year Plan.”